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Although the cheapest plans may vary based on the type of tariff, your location, your household and your usage, you can get a general idea of who is the cheapest using this table.
The following price estimates are a general guide only. Prices are based on a residential customer in Adelaide, South Australia who consumes 4,000 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the SA Power Networks network. Prices last checked on December 2019 and are subject to change. Always check the providers site before applying.
| Brand | Plan name | Difference from reference price | Conditional discount? | Estimated price (per 91 days) | Estimated price (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin Energy | Origin Value | 20% less | N/A | $388.03 | $1,552.12 |
| Kogan Energy | Kogan Energy Market Offer | 17% less | N/A | $402.45 | $1,609.80 |
| Diamond Energy | Everyday Renewable Saver | 7% less (without conditional discounts) | Further 7% off the reference price if you always pay on time and 3% off the reference price when you pay by Direct Debit. | $407.65 | $1,630.60 |
| Powerclub | Powerbank Home Flat | 15% | N/A | $410.28 | $1,641.12 |
| AGL | Residential Essentials Saver - No Exit Fee | 13% less | N/A | $421.74 | $1,686.96 |
| Powerdirect | Powerdirect Residential Discount Saver - No Exit Fee | 13% less | N/A | $421.85 | $1,687.40 |
| Elysian Energy | Elysian Market Residential Simple Plan (SAPN) | 9% (without conditional discounts) | Further 5% discount off usage applies when the account is paid by the due date. | $427.17 | $1,708.68 |
| Momentum Energy | Smile Power Flexi_RSR | 11% | N/A | $429.59 | $1,718.36 |
| Powershop | PowershopLITE | 9% less | N/A | $443.56 | $1,774.24 |
| Mojo Power | SE Legacy Standing offer | 8% less | N/A | $444.06 | $1,776.24 |
| Commander Power & Gas | Residential Market | 8% less | N/A | $445.39 | $1,781.56 |
| Dodo Power & Gas | Residential Market | 8% less | N/A | $445.39 | $1,781.56 |
| Lumo Energy | Lumo Basic | 8% less | N/A | $445.99 | $1,783.96 |
| Simply Energy | SA Simply Low Rates | 7% less | N/A | $449.75 | $1,799.00 |
| Red Energy | Living Energy Saver | 7% less | N/A | $453.19 | $1,812.76 |
| EnergyAustralia | No Frills | 6% less | N/A | $455.07 | $1,820.28 |
| Energy Locals | Local Saver - Anytime | 5% | N/A | $462.13 | $1,848.52 |
| Click Energy | Click Banksia Plus | 3% less | N/A | $470.27 | $1,881.08 |
| amaysim | amaysim Electricity as you go | 2% less | N/A | $474.73 | $1,898.92 |
| QEnergy | Home Your Way SR RSR | Equal to reference price | N/A | $483.08 | $1,932.32 |
...on average, a household could be charged around $1,560 annually.
When it comes to the average rate you are charged for using electricity, SA is one of the more expensive states, with the average rate being $0.39 per kilowatt hour (kWh).
Standard household usage in SA is around 4,000 kWh over a year. This means a household could be charged is around $1,560 annually [$0.39 x 4000] on average.
Note: This example is a general guide and doesn't include fixed daily supply charges and other fees. Household usage has been taken from AER's Default Market Offer Prices Report and is based on the SA Power Network.
To ensure you have access to the best electricity deals, here are the key terms you should understand and look out for:
The more competitive the energy market in South Australia is, the more choices you have as a consumer. Lots of providers offer discounts, tailored plans and special offers depending on when and how you use your electricity and gas, so taking your personal needs into account is essential to getting the best deal. Before buying, ask yourself:
Knowing the answer to these questions should make it much easier to find the cheapest electricity plans in SA.
If you're ready to compare plan features, here's what to look for:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Tariff options | You can usually choose between a single rate tariff or one that charges you a time of use tariff. |
| Discounts | You can get discounts for paying on time, signing long-term contracts and for bundling gas and electricity plans together. Many energy plans offer discounts; the key is to find one that extends discounts to customers beyond the first stages of your contract. |
| Cancellation fees | Watch out for policies with termination fees. This can range from around $40 to $100 and will be specified in your contract. No-lock-in contracts are a viable alternative if you don't want cancellation fees. |
| Payment | If you're not sure you will be able to pay bills on time with one form of payment, go for a flexible plan. If you want to save, you can often get a discount for paying with a credit card. |
| Digital energy tools | You can measure your energy consumption with a range of apps and online tools. Knowing exactly what and where your energy use comes from could help you find a better deal in the future. |
South Australia residents can choose from the following energy retailers:
| Provider | ⚡ Electricity | ♨️ Gas | ☀️ Solar |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGL | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Alinta | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| amaysim | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Amber Electric | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Click Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Commander | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Diamond Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Discover Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Dodo | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Energy Locals | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| EnergyAustralia | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lumo Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Momentum Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Origin Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Powerdirect | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Powerclub | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Powershop | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| QEnergy | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Red Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Simply Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Although South Australia only has one electricity distributor, SA Power Networks, and one gas distributor, Australian Gas Networks (SA), there are plenty of energy providers in competition with one another. This means there are plenty of opportunities to get a good deal.
| Electricity | Gas | |
|---|---|---|
| Distributors | SA Power Networks | Australian Gas Networks (SA) |
South Australia introduced deregulation in 2013, which means that electricity providers are free to set their own prices once a year on July 1. It's hoped that price deregulation can increase competition and put downward pressure on electricity prices.
Most of South Australia's energy is generated through natural gases (around 60%). However, if you have an eligible solar PV system, you can get access to retailer feed-in tariffs, an initiative that lets you sell unused solar power back to the grid.
There are several rebates and concessions available to Australians living in South Australia, including the following:
Check if you're eligible for any rebates or concessions in South Australia and learn how to apply
Across South Australia, there are two main types of electricity tariffs. These are:
In South Australia, most households are on single rate tariffs, so the prices you pay for electricity will not depend on the time of day you use it. South Australia also only has one tariff for all residential households — called 'Tariff 110' — but it's used by retailers in different ways. The tariff price you pay is based on 'block rates', which means you're charged by how much you use electricity, not when you use it.
Switching energy providers in South Australia is simple. All you need to do is choose a new retailer and sign up.
How to switch energy providers
